Real leadership is shaped in the day-to-day—through conversations, challenges, decisions, and reflection. We value practical, lived experience alongside thoughtful development.
About & Philosophy
Meet us
About us
Ako Leadership was founded by Andrew and Rachael Fearn, drawing on their experience as owners of Ako Rolleston and Ako Rangiora, two early childhood centres grounded in the principle of Ako—learning together and from one another.
Through building and leading their centres, Andrew and Rachael have developed a deep understanding of what it takes to grow strong leaders, nurture positive team culture, and create sustainable, people-focused organisations. Their journey has been shaped not by theory alone, but by the realities of leading teams, supporting managers, and navigating the day-to-day challenges of a service-based business.
Ako Leadership was created as a natural extension of this work.
History
Our story
Over time, Andrew and Rachael found that much of their impact extended beyond their own centres. Conversations with other centre owners, managers, and leaders revealed a shared need—for support, guidance, and development that was grounded in real experience.
Rather than keeping that knowledge within their own organisation, they chose to share it.
Ako Leadership was established to support other service leaders and business owners to grow their leadership capability, strengthen their teams, and build environments where people can thrive.
Our philosophy
At Ako Leadership, we believe that leadership is not something you achieve – it is something you grow.
At Ako Leadership, we believe that leadership is not something you achieve—it is something you grow.
Rooted in the concept of Ako, we see learning as a shared, relational process. We learn from one another, alongside one another, and through the experiences we navigate together. Leadership, in this sense, is not about having all the answers, but about being open to growth, reflection, and connection.
We believe that the strongest leaders are not defined by authority, but by their ability to build trust, develop others, and create environments where people and teams can thrive.
Values
Our core beliefs
Leadership is learned through experience
Growth happens in relationships
People grow best when they feel supported, challenged, and understood. We prioritise genuine relationships, where honesty and trust create the conditions for meaningful change.
Everyone has the capacity to lead
Leadership is not a title—it is a way of showing up. Whether someone is new to leadership or experienced, there is always potential to grow confidence, capability, and impact.
Strong leaders build strong teams
When leaders grow, teams thrive. We focus not only on individual leadership, but on how that leadership shapes culture, communication, and collective success.
Learning is ongoing and shared
We do not believe in a “finished” leader. Growth is continuous, and learning is something we do together—through reflection, dialogue, and shared insight.
Our Approach
At the heart of Ako Leadership is the belief that leadership is grown through shared learning.
Andrew and Rachael work alongside leaders—not as distant consultants, but as experienced practitioners—bringing:
- Real-world insight from running successful centres
- Practical tools that can be applied immediately
- A relational, people-first approach grounded in trust and honesty
Their work focuses on developing confident leaders and thriving teams, recognising that strong leadership directly shapes the culture, performance, and sustainability of an organisation.
What Sets Us Apart
Ako Leadership is not based on theory alone.
It is built from:
- Lived leadership experience
- A deep commitment to people and relationships
- A belief in continuous growth—for individuals, teams, and organisations
The concept of Ako underpins everything they do:
learning alongside, learning through, and learning from each other.
Get in touch
Ready to get started?
We’d love to have a chat to see how we can work together.